Method for the treatment of acne

Abstract

This application is directed to a method of treating a patient with acne by applying a photodynamic agent to skin having acne lesions, waiting at least 12 hours, and then exposing the skin to which the photodynamic agent has been applied to light that causes an activation reaction.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims priority of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 681,888, entitled METHOD FOR THE TREATMENT OF ACNE, filed Aug. 10, 2012, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if being set forth in its entirety herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This application related to methods for the treatment of acne vulgaris, commonly referred to simply as “acne.”BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Acne is a commonly occurring skin disorder. It is characterized by an inflammation of the pilosebaceous unit, including the sebaceous gland. Acne lesions can take the form of comedones, papules, pustules, or nodules. Acne lesions typically appear on the face, but also occur on the back, chest and shoulders. Acne lesions are associated with Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes). Growth of P. acnes is thought to be associated with, if not the cause of, the inflammatory component of acne.[0004]The severity of acne varies widely from individual ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019]The inventors have discovered that in order for ALA-based PDT to be successfully used in the treatment of acne, the application of light after the application of ALA to the skin should be delayed by at least 12 hours, and possibly as long as 36 hours. An interval of 24 hours between application of ALA to the skin and exposure to light can result in optimal anti-acne therapy.

Problems solved by technology

Even mild cases of acne can be cosmetically unappealing and at times disfiguring.

Occasionally, acne lesions heal but leave permanent scars which are themselves sometimes prominent and permanently disfiguring.

Orally administered isotretinoin is highly effective, but is known to produce a wide array of side effects, including sometimes severe psychiatric effects.

None of these treatments are compellingly effective, some have undesirable side effects, and all are subject to diminished effectiveness due to poor patient compliance—a common occurrence in the affected age group.

The resulting high concentrations of protoporphyrin IX can result in the generation of fatal quantifies of free radicals in the target cells / tissue when protoporphyrin IX is activated by exposure to light.

Thus, ALA-based PDT has not been an effective treatment for acne.